As it turns out, Moriarty will still be making some kind of appearance in "Holmes." How do we know? Because Ritchie himself told MTV's Josh Horowitz! I would even go as far as saying -- and this is pure speculation -- the Pitt may indeed be showing up as Holmes' nemesis in an uncredited role, since that wouldn't technically mean he's "joining the cast." Think on that as you read what Ritchie had to say.

"Some kind of an appearance is probably the best way to describe it," the Holmes director said. When pressed, and asked if an actor is credited as Moriarty, Ritchie's reply was "I believe not."

"I don’t know how to answer that other than to say there is some kind of appearance," he said. "All will be revealed. I’m afraid I have to be slightly ambiguous about this but you’ll understand what I’m talking about when you see the movie."

Pretty secretive for what sounds a helluva lot like a cameo. Why the big silence? Perhaps because that cameo involves one of the biggest superstar actors out there today? Could be... but nobody's talking and we'll have to wait until December to find out the whole truth.